Technology/Leadership Book SummarySummarized By: Amy Zbylut RSS for EducatorsBy: John G. Hendron RSS for Educators is a guide for integrating and understanding various Web 2.0 tools. Hendron explains, how “Really Simple Syndication (RSS) makes it possible to easily access frequently updated content on the Internet.” RSS for Educators also describes how to use the web-based applications that supports RSS for classroom instruction and professional development. Hendron also includes a thorough list of resources, a glossary, and the National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S) in this book. Hendron explains how simple RSS is to use once you have set up your news aggregator. He describes the aggregator as “a little robot that is regularly in touch with your server, continually asking it “Anything New yet?...How about now?” (Hendron, 2008, p. 3) Once the aggregator/reader finds new content it automatically updates for your viewing. Hendron also explains how RSS saves you time and keeps you updated on several websites, blogs, wikis, newsfeeds, and other Web 2.0 tools. RSS for Educators also introduces the reader to blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other Web 2.0 tools that will foster emerging 21st century skills. Hendron also addresses classroom integration of blogs, wikis, podcasts, news feeds and advanced uses of RSS. Hendron states, “Choice in today’s society can be both a blessing and a curse” (Hendron, 2008, p. 151). He supports his statement by giving examples of all the resources and information that is at our fingertips. He highlights how “mind-boggling” all the information can be and how important it is to choose technologies that will be relevant to you and your students. RSS for Educators gives an in-depth personal experience approach to creating, integrating, and implementing technology into the classroom. Throughout the book, an emphasis on how to simplify an educator’s instruction by using technology is apparent. Hendron explains how he uses podcasting, blogging, Audacity, and other Web 2.0 tools for classroom instruction and professional development. Hendron discusses how services such as social bookmarking, photo sharing, and web search engines can also provide additional sources of RSS feeds. He continues to link the benefits of RSS feeds to successful student engagement and collaboration amongst educators. The list of resources and glossary in RSS for Educators are valuable tools for students and educators. Hendron aims “to provide a comprehensive list of best-in-class examples of the current state of the Read/Write Web” (Hendron, 2008, p. 259). Hendron provides the title, URL, and description of numerous websites that are used by educators and students. Some of the Web 2.0 tools he uses are Creative Commons, del.icio.us, Google reader, RSS 2 PDF, and Remember the Milk. Hendron describes, “rememberthemilk.com is a To-Do list manager” (Hendron, 2008, p. 269). RSS saves you time by brining the updates to you when they are available and RSS for Educators guides you on your journey into the Web 2.0 World. Hendron explains, “the perception that computer technologies can be used for tasks beyond drill and practice are legitimate.” After reading, RSS for Educators that “perception” and “legitimacy” are apparent.
Hendron, J. G. (2008). RSS for Educators: Blogs, newsfeeds, podcoasts, and wikis in the classroom, Eugene, OR: ISTE.
RSS for Educators By: John G. Hendron
RSS for Educators is a guide for integrating and understanding various Web 2.0 tools. Hendron explains, how “Really Simple Syndication (RSS) makes it possible to easily access frequently updated content on the Internet.” RSS for Educators also describes how to use the web-based applications that supports RSS for classroom instruction and professional development. Hendron also includes a thorough list of resources, a glossary, and the National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S) in this book.
Hendron explains how simple RSS is to use once you have set up your news aggregator. He describes the aggregator as “a little robot that is regularly in touch with your server, continually asking it “Anything New yet?...How about now?” (Hendron, 2008, p. 3) Once the aggregator/reader finds new content it automatically updates for your viewing. Hendron also explains how RSS saves you time and keeps you updated on several websites, blogs, wikis, newsfeeds, and other Web 2.0 tools.
RSS for Educators also introduces the reader to blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other Web 2.0 tools that will foster emerging 21st century skills. Hendron also addresses classroom integration of blogs, wikis, podcasts, news feeds and advanced uses of RSS. Hendron states, “Choice in today’s society can be both a blessing and a curse” (Hendron, 2008, p. 151). He supports his statement by giving examples of all the resources and information that is at our fingertips. He highlights how “mind-boggling” all the information can be and how important it is to choose technologies that will be relevant to you and your students.
RSS for Educators gives an in-depth personal experience approach to creating, integrating, and implementing technology into the classroom. Throughout the book, an emphasis on how to simplify an educator’s instruction by using technology is apparent. Hendron explains how he uses podcasting, blogging, Audacity, and other Web 2.0 tools for classroom instruction and professional development. Hendron discusses how services such as social bookmarking, photo sharing, and web search engines can also provide additional sources of RSS feeds. He continues to link the benefits of RSS feeds to successful student engagement and collaboration amongst educators.
The list of resources and glossary in RSS for Educators are valuable tools for students and educators. Hendron aims “to provide a comprehensive list of best-in-class examples of the current state of the Read/Write Web” (Hendron, 2008, p. 259). Hendron provides the title, URL, and description of numerous websites that are used by educators and students. Some of the Web 2.0 tools he uses are Creative Commons, del.icio.us, Google reader, RSS 2 PDF, and Remember the Milk. Hendron describes, “rememberthemilk.com is a To-Do list manager” (Hendron, 2008, p. 269).
RSS saves you time by brining the updates to you when they are available and RSS for Educators guides you on your journey into the Web 2.0 World. Hendron explains, “the perception that computer technologies can be used for tasks beyond drill and practice are legitimate.” After reading, RSS for Educators that “perception” and “legitimacy” are apparent.
Hendron, J. G. (2008). RSS for Educators: Blogs, newsfeeds, podcoasts, and wikis in the classroom, Eugene, OR: ISTE.